“It’s not uncommon for animals to sustain an injury that requires surgery,” stated Dr. Judilee Marrow, Staff Veterinarian said in a news release. “We work to ensure the safety of animals in our care, but animals that are very active, like primates, sometimes injure themselves. Kanzu did very well during the procedure and we will continue to keep a close watch over her during her recovery.”

The orthopedic team coordinated donations from the Synthes Corporation and Stryker Corporation to help ‘Kanzu’ recover.

The Red-Capped Mangabeys are a very charismatic primate species from Central Africa. They are threatened due to over-hunting by the local population who use the animals to feed their families. Less than 30 of them are managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, through which Binder Park Zoo participates in.

Visitors will be able to see the monkeys in their exhibit space when the zoo opens for the season on April 22.